RIVER LADY

The maritime employer must have sufficient number of alcohol testing devices readily acessible on board the vessel to determine the precesence of alcohol in the system of each individual who was directly involved in the SMI. Marine inspector noted that all alcohol test strip were expired.

Closure devices must be provided for deckhouse or hull penetrations; which open to the exterior of the vessel and which may allow water to enter the vessel. Marine inspectors observed open holes in pilot house aft bulkhead and upper engine room aft bulkhead. Vessel shall submit pictues of repairs to restore weathertight integrity.

The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weathertight function properly. MIs identified deteriorated sealing gaskets on both machinery space hatches. Install proper gaskets.

Portable and semi portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained and tested in accordance with NFPA 10 to include monthly and annual inspections. Properly Service or replace paint locker 40-B fire extinguisher.

Each towing vessel must carry on board and maintain the following: Charts or maps. Marine charts or maps of the areas to be transited, published by the National Ocean Service (NOS), the ACOE, or a river authority that satisfy the following requirements: The charts or maps must be of a large enough scale and have enough detail to make safe navigation of the areas possible. In addition, the charts must be either - Current editions or currently corrected editions, if the vessel engages in towing exclusively on navigable waters of the U.S., including Western Rivers. Vessel did not have updated paper charts. Complete applicable chart updates.

The Bridge-to-Bridge Act and the regulations of this part apply to the following vessels in the navigable waters of the United States: Every towing vessel of 7.8 meters (26 feet) or over in length, measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, while navigating. Each vessel must carry a certificate with a valid endorsement while subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act. Vessel operator was unable to produce a valid Bridge-to-Bridge Act Radiotelephone Certificate. Provide stated certificate for Marine Inspector review. Cite: 47 CFR 80.1005

The marine employer must have a sufficient number of alcohol testing devices readily accessible on board the vessel to determine the presence of alcohol in the system of each individual who was directly involved in a Serious Marine Incident. Onboard alcohol testing devices were expired. Renew with valid testing equipment.

Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards. Marine Inspector witnessed an overhead wire run, port-side, forward in the machinery space with damaged shielding on multiple wires, exposing the conductor cores. Make adequate repairs to wiring.

The vessel has been both in satisfactory service insofar as structural adequacy is concerned and does not cause the structure of the vessel to be questioned by the OCMI. Marine Inspector witnessed 1 wasted longitudinal frame as well as 1 wasted cross frame located forward of the main engine on the port side. Marine Inspector also witnessed wasted forward ladder handrails as well as a broken weld on the lowest step. Crop and renew as required.

Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery spaces and for closing, in case of fire, each doorway, ventilator, and annular space around funnels and other openings into such spaces. Marine Inspectors observed the exterior of the exhaust stack fitted with vents not capable of being closed in the event of a fire.

If a dedicated storage cabinet is provided it must be secured to the vessel so that it does not move and must be either: A flammable liquid storage cabinet that satisfies UL 1275, incorporated by reference see 46 CFR 136.112 or another suitable steel container that provides an equivalent level of protection. Flammable locker fitted to vessel has no bottom plating for proper containment of flammable or combustible liquids.

The towing vessel record (TVR) must include all items required from 46 CFR 140.915. Numerous records were missing from the TVR to include monthly fire drills, Operative navigation safety equipment checks, and Navigation Assessments.